It is worth asking who decides what's an "obsession" and where it differs from meditation or the kind of deep dwelling on a subject we see in philosophy or the work of Robert Wilson, for instance?

Wherever something is "pinned down" there's a little hole - at least one - more likely many.

Given our examination of the behavior of our police forces at this moment the question of protection has an extra resonance, yes?

If we take seriously the idea that the stories we want to hear shape the stories we can (and want to, and are allowed to) tell, then the canon emerges as something to examine very carefully.

"Influence" is itself influenced, coming from an Italian word for the outbreak of a disease (influenza, outbreak). Influence is that which flows across - permeates - the boundaries of the self.

Admitting how ill we are, how deep the damage goes, how constantly the abuse cycle is repeated and how horribly we have failed those who most deserve our care and protection.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (whose mother died ten days after she was born) wrote a novel that anticipates Semmelweis's discovery and serves as a parable for the destructive power of decaying matter.

I'm interested in finding new and more humane modes of safety, and in exposing the arbitrary and superficial protections that have failed us.

One might say that "Torch Song" is, in part, about the urgency of the effort to pin things down and what wild dart throwing that desire leads to.

But the fact is, dreams catch us with our armor off.

Often times you may find yourself in a relationship with a guy who looks like he is a mature adult, but then you find out that he’s just a selfish baby underneath that wonderful expensive cologne.

Mercy should be given once to a person and it is priceless. This person then should be very honest and should promise not to commit the same particular mistake again.

Rather than justice for all, we are evolving into a system of justice for those who can afford it. We have banks that are not only too big to fail, but too big to be held accountable.

I, uh, didn't mean to upset everyone.""Didn't you though?" he spoke softly. "You seem to have a habit of coming in like a storm and leaving a path of destruction and confusion in your wake.

We increase whatever we praise.

Men are rather beholden ... generally to chance or anything else, than to logic, for the invention of arts and sciences.

I embraced a cloud but when I soared it rained.

I think if you had a capital-gains system where the long, patient capital would actually be rewarded, nanosecond capital turning would not be.

Listening is about making and strengthening a connection with another person.